The lights are out at businesses across the region as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, but the percolators are still going at a handful of coffee shops.

That’s because they serve food and, under official directives issued recently, are thus considered “essential.” In the District, Mayor Muriel Bowser’s March 24 order closing all “non-essential businesses” exempts “restaurants and other facilities that serve and prepare food” as long as it’s for carry-out, grab and go, or delivery. Across the Potomac River in Virginia, the new rules are similar, deeming “retailers that sell food and beverage” as essential.

The fact that many coffee shops serve food—even simple muffins and cookies—means they can remain open for takeout, Bowser’s office confirmed to DCist Wednesday. So some of the city’s most popular coffee spots, whether small businesses or chains, are still operating, despite seeing major drops in sales and reduced staffing.

Compass Coffee currently has six of its 12 locations open, staffed by 40 employees (out of their previous 189). Michael Haft, a cofounder of Compass, says while he’s happy the business could keep half of its stores open, revenue is hugely down. “Downtown is so quiet that it just didn’t make sense for us to keep those open,” says Haft. “[The ones that are open] are the neighborhood shops for people who live nearby who want their coffee.”

Other local coffee shops are in similar situations. The Wydown has cut the hours of its 14th Street NW location to 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and says business has been best when the weather is good. Both of Slipstream‘s locations remain open and, according to owner Ryan Fleming, are still receiving orders. But there’s “no way anyone is making a profit at this point,” says Fleming, who adds that about three-quarters of his employees who wanted shifts were given the ability to work, though at reduced hours.

As for caffeine colossus Starbucks, which boasts about 50 locations in D.C. alone, far fewer stores than normal appear to be open in the D.C. area, according to the company’s website. The Seattle-based coffee retailer closed many of its cafes nationwide March 20, leaving only certain drive-through and select hospital and grocery store locations open. Some of its local locations—such as on H Street NE—are providing delivery services, however.

Other area cafes are handling the economic slowdown relatively okay, at least according to them. Northside Social, which has locations in Arlington and Falls Church, remains open, thanks in large part to its supportive customer base built up over the last 10 years, says general manager Randi Milton.

“A large portion of our business is from food,” she tells DCist. “We are doing a lot better than most.” Besides, “people are coming in the morning for their coffee,” she continues. “It’s their routine.”

This story was updated to reflect new information from Slipstream.